A HIGHWORTH Royal Air Force veteran will join thousands as they repeat a historic pilgrimage to the battlefields of the First World War.

Gerry Evans, chairman of the Highworth branch of the Royal British Legion, will travel to France and Belgium together with wife of almost two decades, Maggie.

The couple are two of 2,200 standard bearers and wreath layers repeating the massive Great Pilgrimage of 1928. Organised by the Royal British Legion, the original pilgrimage marked the 10th anniversary of the First World War and culminated in a massive march by veterans and families through the Ypres battlefield.

Gerry, 64, will have in his mind his great-great-uncle, Henry John Evans, who lost his life in the second Battle of Ypres in 1915.

Acting bombardier Henry was a veteran of the Boer War when he joined the fight in Belgium. He died alongside five of his fellow fighters. The group is buried together at Brandhoek cemetery, Belgium.

Gerry only learned about his fallen relative by chance: “My uncle was looking into his own family history. I happened to ask him, were there any Evans family members involved? He reeled off this name, Henry John Evans.”

Some research on genealogy websites by a workmate revealed Gerry’s ancestor had grown up on a road in Chiswick, west London, that Gerry knew well from his own childhood. “I couldn’t believe it,” said Gerry.

The former RAF technician, who spent 18 years in the services, is expecting the march through the battlefield where his great-great-uncle died to be emotional: “I think it’s going to be a very emotive day. I’m sure I’m going to have a few tears.”

Gerry will carry the Highworth and District Legion flag, while wife Maggie will leave a poppy wreath beneath the massive Menin Gate war memorial at a special service on Wednesday, August 8.

“I feel very proud to be representing Highworth,” said Gerry.

He said it was more important than ever to remember Europe’s fallen heroes: “Without them we wouldn’t have the same level of freedom that we enjoy now.”

Gerry and Maggie set off on a specially-chartered bus on Sunday morning. They will join Legion members from as far afield as Brazil, Thailand and Hong Kong.

The Legion’s Bob Gamble , said: “Ninety years to the day on August 8, more than 2,200 members of the Royal British Legion will carry standards and wreaths along the same route to the Menin Gate in Belgium, to commemorate the last 100 days of the First World War, thereby representing an entire generation that served while defending their country.

“That pilgrimage culminated in a march through Ypres to the Commonwealth War Grave Commission’s Menin Gate Memorial for a ceremony to commemorate the launch of the Hundred Days Offensive and in remembrance of those who never returned.”